He began doing bodywork with no training and later worked under a variety of practitioner licenses, including an MD earned in Mexico followed by 2 years residency in psychiatry.
[3] At the beginning of a session, the practitioner enters into a state of meditation that Milton Trager originally termed "hook-up".
[3] From this state of mind, the practitioner uses gentle touch and a combination of passive and active movement with the intent of teaching the recipient how to move with less effort.
[3] Practitioners are taught to allow a tone of curiosity, playfulness, and effortlessness to guide their work.
[3] In addition to hands-on bodywork, clients are taught a series of movements called "Mentastics" to be performed with a certain mental attention.